Leaders of the United Steelworkers of America Local 8888 organized the rally in reaction to the yard's decision last month to replace nearly 75 janitors with employees from Richmond-based Excel Services Inc.

"If it happens to the janitors, it will happen to everyone," said union representative Marilyn Purdie. "It's about time it stopped."

Many protesters wore black arm bands to show support for janitors who were fired; others carried signs reading, among other messages, "Contractors Are Taking Steelworkers Jobs" and "World Class Shipyard, 2nd Class Treatment."

Despite the union members' display of solidarity, the shipyard said it plans to continue its military cutback-induced downsizing efforts.

"We will be continuously assessing our ability to compete in the world marketplace, and controlling costs is of paramount importance to us," said yard spokesman Tom Olds. "Outsourcing, or contracting outside services, remains an option."

The yard's quest to cut costs extends into every department, he added.

"We're looking at every job function in the shipyard, salaried and hourly," Olds said.

Judy Boyd, sub-director of the local Steelworkers union, said she understands the shipyard's desire to cut costs. But the yard's decision to replace janitors with contracted workers violated the terms of the 50-month contract union members had approved in February, Boyd said.

That agreement says the yard may not replace workers with outside employees "with the intent to affect or erode the bargaining unit represented by the union."

Boyd contends the company breached the terms of the contract, and said the union plans to file charges next week with the National Labor Relations Board.

Shipyard and union negotiators also will meet in binding arbitration Oct. 27 over the yard's decision.

Many of the protesters who paraded on Washington Avenue between 37th and 41st streets Friday afternoon were fired janitors, many of whom had just completed their last day of work.

It was janitor Sallie Elliot's final day, the end of a 13-year career at the yard.

"I'm a single mom," said Elliot, as she waved a cardboard "Justice for Janitors" placard. "I still have to pay my bills."

She said meeting her family's needs will prove difficult, since her weekly income will drop from $469 to a $208 unemployment check.

"Our foreman told us we had nothing to worry about," she said. "I'm hurt, I'm disgusted. They could have kept us here."